James Dokhuma

Dr
James Dokhuma
Born(1932-06-15)15 June 1932
Sialsuk
Died10 March 2007(2007-03-10) (aged 74)
Criminal chargesIPC Section 121 (Waging, or attempting to wage war, or abetting waging of war, against the Government of India, state & etc.)
Criminal penaltyLife imprisonment( he later got pardoned because of the Mizoram Peace Accord)
SpouseChhuanthangpuii(married 1960–death)
Children6
AwardsAcademy Award(Mizo academy of Letters)
Honours

James Dokhuma (15 June 1932 to 10 March 2007)[1] was a Mizo poet, writer.[2] Who was awarded Padmashri for his contributions.

Early life and education

Dokhuma was born on 15 June 1932 in Sialsuk village. At the age of 15, he joined the Indian Army and served from 1947-1952.[1][3][4][5][6]

Career

After serving in the army, he become a teacher in the Hualtu Middle School.[3] With the contribution of his book Ṭawng Un Hrilhfiahna, in 1971 the government of Mizoram bestowed the title "Father of Mizo Lexicography"[1][3][4][7]

Dokhuma was a participant in the Mizo National Front and was jailed. Books such as Rinawmin contribute to a unique genre in Mizo literature known as Rambuai, which details the events of the Mizo Insurgency of 1966-1986. After the MNF uprising of 1966, Dokhuma joined the movement as the MNF block president of Tlungvel Circle. Other notable roles include Deputy Speaker and member of Parliament to the MNF underground movement. Dokhuma was captured and sent to Nowgong Special Jail before being transferred to Gauhati Central Jail and released in 1971.  Due to his activities as an insurgent, Dokhuma's right arm was impaired. In a confrontation with the Indian army, his arm was hit by five bullets. In the post-accord Mizoram, Dokhuma settled as a preacher working for the Salvation Army Evangelical mission.

Imprisonment

Dokhuma was a participant in the Mizo National Front and was jailed. Books such as Rinawmin contribute to a unique genre in Mizo literature known as Rambuai, which details the events of the Mizo Insurgency of 1966-1986. After the MNF uprising of 1966, Dokhuma joined the movement as the MNF block president of Tlungvel Circle. Other notable roles include Deputy Speaker and member of Parliament to the MNF underground movement. Dokhuma was captured and sent to Nowgong Special Jail before being transferred to Guwahati Central Jail and released in 1971.[7][8] Due to his activities as an insurgent, Dokhuma's right arm was impaired. In a confrontation with the Indian army, his arm was hit by a bullet while two hit his torso and one hit his leg.[9] In the post-accord Mizoram, Dokhuma settled as a preacher working for the Salvation Army Evangelical mission.[10]

Achievements

For his contributions he received Bhasha Samman, Padma shri and the Mizo Academy Awards. Dokhuma secured the Mizo Academy Award for Best Writer of the Year five times in 1984, 1986, 1988, 1991 and 1996.[2]

Works

Poetry

  • Mi zâwn inchuh (Textbook for Class- XI MBSE Mizo)
  • Pûm (Textbook for Class-XII MBSE Mizo)
  • A tak chu khawiah nge? (B.A)
  • Siamtu Khuarêl (M.A)
  • Thu rêng ka nei si lo (M.A)
  • Pi Pu sûlhnu (M.A)

Prose

  • Ka thuhretu (Textbook for Class-VII)
  • Lungawina (Textbook for Class-IX)
  • Zân (Textbook for Class-X)
  • Serh leh sâng (Textbook fork for Class-XI (Core))
  • Fam ta lo chu (Textbook for Class-XI (Elective))
  • Sawifiahna Ṭawngauchheh (B.A)

Novels

  • Irrawaddy Lui Kamah (Textbook for Class-IX)
  • Tumpang Chal nge Saithangpuii (B.A)
  • Thla Hleinga Zan (B.A)
  • Khawhar In (M.A)

Books

  • Rinawmin (1970)
  • Khawhar In (1970)
  • Thla Hleinga Zan (1970)
  • Zoram Kohhran Tualṭo Chanchin (1975)
  • Tumna Chu a Hlawhtling ṭhin (1976)
  • Kawtlang Inzirna (1976)
  • Ni leh Thla kara leng (1978)
  • Hmasawnna (1978)
  • Arsi Thawnthu (1979)
  • Hausak aiin hrisel a hlu zawk (1979)
  • Finna Hmahruai (1980)
  • Ṭawng Un Hrilhfiahna (1981)
  • Tumpangchal nge Saithangpuii? (1981)
  • Chawngkhum dân tlang huat loh (1981)
  • Ka Inpuanna (1982)
  • Chawngkhum dan tlang huat loh Bu-2-na (1982)
  • Hmangaihna Thuchah (1982)
  • Irrawaddy Lui Kamah (1982)
  • Good Bye, Lushai Brigade (1983)
  • Notes on Mizo Idioms & Phrases (1983)
  • Kimoto Syonora (1984)
  • Nunna bua hming chuangte (1986)
  • Gabbatha (1989)
  • Chhungkua(Sipai Inkhawm Thupui) (1990)
  • Lonesome Cowbow (1990)
  • Hmeichhia leh mipa indona (1992)
  • Hmanlai Mizo Kalphung (1992)
  • Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose (1993)
  • Mak leh Mak (1995)
  • An va hlu êm
  • Enthlatute (Sex Spy & War Spy)
  • Silaimu Ngaihawm
  • Ka Thinlung Luang Liam
  • Rilru Far Chhuak
  • Zokhaw Nun
  • Thla Hleinga Zan II
  • Ch. Chhunga Chanchin
  • Thisen leh Mei (Self Denial Thupui)
  • Lamsuaka
  • Singapore-a Mizo Saltangte
  • Kham Kâr Senhri (True Story)
  • Mizo Ṭawng Kalphung

Death

In February 2007 he had a sudden violent fit of shivers. According to tests results, his blood sugar completely destroyed his kidneys, eyes, lungs and heart. He also developed a urinary tract infection. He died on 27 March 2007.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Chhakchhuak, James Dokhuma. Tawng Un Hrilhfiahna (in Mizo) (6th ed.). Published by R.Lalrawna and Printed by him at Gilzom Offset.
  2. ^ a b Guptā, Ramaṇikā (2006). Indigenous Writers of India: North-East India. New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company. pp. 158–159. ISBN 81-8069-299-X.
  3. ^ a b c "1983 — James Dokhuma – Mizo Academy of Letters" (in Mizo). Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  4. ^ a b "Padma Shri James Dokhuma". www.oknortheast.com. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
  5. ^ Lalthasanga, Hrangte. Representation of Mizo Identity in James Dokhuma's works (History thesis). Academia Edu. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  6. ^ Lalmalsawmi, V. (2022). "Situating Identity in James Dokhuma" (PDF). Research Journal of English. 7 (4). doi:10.36993/RJOE.2022.7.4.2. ISSN 2456-2696. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  7. ^ a b Pachuau, Margaret L; Lalrinfeli, C (2022). "Concept of Freedom in James Dokhuma's Rinawmin". Gauhati University Institute of North East India Studies. 9 (1): 65–75. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  8. ^ Pachuau, Margaret L. (2022). "Siting Memory in Select Mizo Narratives" (PDF). Research Journal of English. 7 (3). ISSN 2456-2696. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  9. ^ Lalmalsawmi, V. (2024). "Mizo Nationalism in the works of James Dokhuma". In Pachuau, Margaret L.; Daimari, Anjali (eds.). Interpreting Literature from Northeast India. New Delhi: Bloomsbury Publishing India. ISBN 978-93-56408-99-9.
  10. ^ Bannerjee, Ruben (15 January 1993). "Former Mizo Insurgents trade in their guns for the Bible". India Today. Retrieved 24 September 2024.